Tricky Timing

Honestly, as I sit down to write this, I've been struggling to know what to write. Nothing seems to fit at this time or seems like the right thing to say, but I guess that's what this one is kind of about. So, as you read this, I hope it speaks to wherever you are, as I know God will speak to me as I write it.

It can be easy to follow God's plan for us up until it comes down to the timing. For me, the timing of God's plan is NEVER on track with the timing I had in my mind. But, there's beauty, even in that. That what I see as late or early, God says right on time. We often categorize God as being this person who is always tardy, never on time. But, someone who is not bound by time, but is rather outside of it, cannot be late or early. Time is not a "restriction" for God. We may believe God is perfect in all things, but then criticize the timing of something He planned. He is perfect in all things. There's no "He is perfect in all things BUT..." He is perfect in ALL things, yes, even the time things take place. You see, the timing of things will never be convenient. Yet, He knows when things NEED to take place. There's a reason this is happening or that is not happening yet. We see a moment, He sees the lifetime. He knows how one moment can affect us for a lifetime, so He plans every moment considering the lifetime. Each moment, in the time it takes place has a greater purpose in the end.

I've been playing chess with my brother (who is a pro and gives me- a very much beginner all the tips). One thing he continues to tell me is "you have to consider why I moved that piece. Every piece I move has a purpose." Isn't that what God tells us? Every piece He moves at the time He moves or doesn't move it has a purpose, one we may never understand. We feel like God shows up after the messes happen or comes right before they happen and leave, but He is always in the past, present, and future. Time is not something that constricts His work. No, the timing of this or that may have not been at a good time, but would it ever have been? Well, why couldn't it just not have happened at all or why couldn't it just happen? The timing may not make sense. The circumstance may not make sense. But it has a purpose. What is it? I'm not sure and you may not be either, maybe ever. We must trust the One placing us where we are at the time He decided to, because He sees the end. The inconvenience of the timing or circumstance (or both) pushes us into the uncomfortable so we can grow. Grow nearer to Him, with Him, and in our faith. Inconvenience forces faith and that force pushes us to greater faith, growth, and trust. Do not mistake inconvenience for insensitivity. It's the inconvenience that God uses and knows we need. If we did not need it, He wouldn't do it. Job went through inconvenience upon inconvenience and in the end, he drew nearer to God and was humbled. Inconvenience reveals weak spots in our faith and stretches them to strengthen, not just our weaknesses, but us.